Asparagus (genus)

Asparagus
Asparagus setaceus
Asparagus tubers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Asparagoideae
Genus: Asparagus
L.
Type species

Asparagus officinalis

Synonyms
  • Elid Medik.
  • Myrsiphyllum Willd.
  • Asparagopsis (Kunth) Kunth
  • Hecatris Salisb.
  • Elachanthera F.Muell.
  • Protasparagus Oberm.

Asparagus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Asparagoideae. It comprises up to 300 species. Most are evergreen long-lived perennial plants growing from the understory as lianas, bushes or climbing plants. The best-known species is the edible Asparagus officinalis, commonly referred to as just asparagus. Some other members of the genus, such as Asparagus densiflorus, are grown as ornamental plants.